Do you like male or female interviewers better?

[Scooby Doo]

So far I have had 3 female interviewers and I only liked one of them...though she lacked some knowledge on the school and the program. It's interesting, I always thought the female interviewers would be less confrontational and easier for me to get along with...I have found this is completely the opposite for me!
Every guy I have interviewed with I have felt like I had a great interview. Every female I come out feeling like I got violated 😱 😱 😱 😱

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[Trek]

I haven't had any bad experiences with female interviewers. My one 'difficult' interview was with a guy, and all the rest since have been pretty low key. I've found that women are much less likely to push the issue on some topics (why did you do this? etc) and I think i do act a little differently around women- slightly nicer language, ask more questions about them, etc., etc. Just my experiences --Trek

 

[racergirl]

Violated?! Were you still wearing your pants?

Seriously though, unlike the high and mighty scoob, I've only had 2 interviews, but one was male and one was female. I didn't have a preference--both were fine, neither was confrontational that I could tell, and neither violated me as far as I can rememer...though come to think of it I can't remember either interview that clearly...maybe they slipped me something...!

 

[The Fly]

Its so weird! I've interviewed at 5 schools so far, and I've had ZERO interviews with females. Tallying it up, I think its 8 or 9 males and 0 females. What gives!?! 🙂

 

[praying4MD]

I have definitely noticed a difference. Male interviewers have been much nicer on the whole, whereas female interviewers are generally a little harder to impress and I feel as if I have to prove myself to them. The male interviewers have made a special effort to act conversational-- made it a two-way interview & encouraged questions whereas the females usually just grilled away. Then again, it could just be that my usual tactics of showing a little leg don't really get me anywhere with female interviewers. 😉

 

[Scooby Doo]

Yea..that's how I felt...like..woops..where did my pants go???? 😛

But I haven't had many interviews..so I sure as hell am not high and mighty..it's just that all my interviews have involved 3 interviewers each!

Exactly, the women all are very "by the book" from what I have encountered and don't focus on having a conversation....and Trek, they have probed into everything I say whereas the guys have been content to leave it where it's at. Such as them asking, "well when exactly did you know you wanted to do medicine..." I told them a personal situation...they then said "well what was that moment..."
I couldn't answer a defining moment..then right after responding a little "humph" would preceed another question...no conversation format at all 🙁

 

[racergirl]

Originally posted by Scooby Doo:

Such as them asking, "well when exactly did you know you wanted to do medicine..." I told them a personal situation...they then said "well what was that moment..."
I couldn't answer a defining moment..then right after responding a little "humph" would preceed another question.. 🙁[/QB]

Ugh!! God I hate that. Ya know not everyone has the big realization hammer on the head BONG--A DOCTOR I MUST BE moment. For me it was more of a process. Maybe it's a personality thing, or a different life experience thing, but I don't think she should "HUMPH" you for not having a touching story of when you finally realized you "were called to medicine and from that moment on your life has had meaning". Not everyone's head works like that.

In fact, at my last interview, the first question was "so when did you first realize you wanted to become a doctor and why?" I looked around quickly and said "a DOCTOR? Am I in the right room? This is a MEDICAL school???"

It was a big risk, but it worked. The interviewer busted up laughing and dropped his notebook on the floor!

After he calmed down and we stopped laughing, I told him the real answer, and he seemed satisfied.

 

[NickasaurusRex]

WOW! You go, racergirl! 😉 Props for taking that risk -- I'm guessing interviewers don't get that kind of response very often! Hope it turns out well for you!! 😎

 

[TwoSteveSquared]

Racergirl,
We definitely need more people in medicine with your attitude. That's hillarious! I bet you'll get in!

 

[Trek]

Racer- please don't sue, but i GOTTA use that one sometime. I did have a funny moment where there was this really OLD, STATELY looking dude (3 piece suite, very much an "Ivy" type professor) who started the interview by sayign "i'm gonna spend the next 45 minutes trying to see if you're an ethical person for _________ med school". I quickly replied, "i'm gonna spend that time lying to you that I am". At first he was silent for about 1/2 a sec at which point i was like 'damn!' but he immediately busted out laughing and it went well from there. Ended up talking about malt liquor and forklifts of all things. At the end i said- we didn't talk much about medicine- want me to run through the standard stuff?" and he's like 'nah, you got the rest of your life.' Very cool guy --Trek

 

[Mystique]

After having three interviewers, I must say that I prefer the male ones. The one female one I had has formed a very bad impression upon me. The males were really great and easy to get along with. Though they threw some thought-provoking questions my way, I was prepared for them and had fun. It's hard for me to talk about family/medicine balance questions b/c I'm not in the position yet. I know raising kids is hard, BUT I don't know just how hard. I know peds is time-consuming, and I have a general idea of the time commitment involved. BUT, sheesh, I don't have the experience to comment on family/practice balance!!! 🙄

I always thought I'd prefer the female interviewers to male, but it seems that it's the other way around.

PRAYING4MD,
I totally agree with what you said above in your post. I feel the same way!!! (I'm glad someone else can relate...)

RACERGIRL,
What you did is hilarious! I don't think I would ever have the nerve to do that!! I can imagine the interviewer's surprise!

 

[racergirl]

Hee-hee, Thanks everyone!

So far, it seems to me that people at interviews are wound pretty tight. I get nervous too! In fact, at that last interview my hands were shaking while I was getting dressed in my hotel room. Usually when I actually get there though, I'm OK. I do get a little slap-happy though. The whole process is just so wierd! I just can't walk in there an be all serious and professional and keep a straight face the whole time. I'm sure my attitude will be seen as immature by some...and they're probably right!

TREK- sounds like you got off a good one too!

 

[catcher22]

I'm not really convinced that its a gender issue -- just seems like individual variance, but I could be wrong... If I remember correctly I think I've had about 6 total male / 3 female --including student interviewers. They just seem to vary person to person. Some were easier to talk to than others / some more conversational, easygoing -- others more drill sargent like.

 

[md2be06]

I'd have to say that female interviewers are easier to deal with than males. At least that's my personal experience. Male interviewers seem to take the straight question and answer approach, whereas female interviewers like to have a conversation. I think I can handle either, but the conversational tone just puts you at ease. The bottom line is that at most schools, they are trying to sell themselves just like we are, so they're not going to try to stress us out. Racergirl, I definitely agree that the whole "A DOCTOR I MUST BE" moment is quite overrated, and doesn't really exist for a lot of people. Whenever asked that question, I always say it was a gradual process rather than a defining moment. Granted, some experiences are more significant in shaping your career aspirations than others, but I have a hard time believing so many people can base their career decision on a sole experience. I know I can't.